Everyone has been enjoying playing on our newly installed play trail. Have a look below at how it looks. 
Dinner Money £2.00 per day 
Bring to school on Monday in a clearly labelled envelope. 
 
Friends of Birches is the Parent/Teacher Association. It has held several fundraisers this year. Click here for more info. 
 
 
BBC Parents 
 
DATES FOR THIS TERM  
 
Tuesday 24 January - Tri County Football 
Thursday 26 January - P.4 Trip to Armagh Museum 
Thursday 2 February - P5-7 Trip to see Annie 
Friday 3 February - Tri County Netball 
Monday 6 February - School Photographer 
Friday 10 February - Tri County Football 
Monday 13 February - Exceptional Closure 
Tuesday 14 February - Exceptional Closure 
Wednesday 15 February - Half Term  
Thursday 16 February - Half Term 
Friday 17 February - Half Term 
Monday 20 February 
Friday 2 March -Tri County Hockey 
Wednesday 7 March - Exceptional Closure 
Monday 19 March - School Closed for St Patrick's Day 
Wednesday 21 March - Netball Blitz 
Thursday 29 March - School closes at 1.30 pm 
Friday 30 March - School Closes at 12.00 
Monday 16 April - School Re-Opens 
Wednesday 25 April - Tri County Hockey Blitz 
School Hours  
 
Primary 1 - 8.40 am - 1.25 pm  
Primary 2 - 8.40 am - 1.35 pm  
Primary 3 - Monday/Thursday/Friday - 8.40 am - 2.35 pm  
Primary 3 - Tuesday/Wednesday - 8.40 am - 1.45 pm  
Primary 4, 5, 6, 7 -8.40 am - 2.35 pm  
After School Activities 2.35 pm - 3.30 pm  
Breaktime - 10.30 am - 10.45 am  
Dinner time -12.00 - 12.45 pm  
School Uniform  
 
Children are encouraged to wear are school uniform which is:  
 
Grey Trousers/Skirt  
White Polo Shirt  
Blue Sweatshirt with school logo (available from Ivan Jamesons)  
Black Shoes  
Optional school waterproof coat/fleece (available from Ivan Jamesons)  
 
P.E. Kit  
 
White Polo Shirt  
Black Shorts (tight fitting)  
Black Gym Shoes (rubber-soled)  
All P.E. Kit should be labelled and kept in P.E. bag in school  
School P.E. bags available from Ivan Jamesons.  
 
Healthy Break  
 
Children in Primary 1 and 2 are now provided with a heathly snack during their morning play session. Parents provide £1.00 per week to cover the cost and the children all work together to prepare and enjoy their break. Parents are encouraged to send a healthy break for their children. In order to promote healthy eating among the children we would discourage fizzy drinks, crisps, sweets, biscuits and other foods high in sugar and/or fat. Some of the healthy snacks that children bring to school are fruit, vegetable sticks, bread, sandwiches, pancakes, cheese, crackers, breadsticks and dried fruit. Children are also allowed to bring a water bottle to school which they can fill with chilled water throughout the day.  
 
Please note due to allergies that nuts or nut products or sesame seeds should NOT be brought to school.  
 
Health and Safety  
 
Inhalers  
Please ensure that all children who carry their own inhalers in school also have a back up in school kept by staff. For younger children who do not carry their own inhalers please ensure that staff have 2 inhalers. It is not necessary for brown inhalers to be kept in school. Please keep a regular check on expiry dates in inhalers stored in school and ensure they remain in date.  
 
Allergies  
We have some children in school who are allergic to nuts and sesame seeds so please do not send food containing any of these.  
 
Medical Information  
Please keep the school informed of any recently diagnosed allergies or other medical conditions.  
 
Jewellery  
For health and safety reasons jewellery is not to be worn in school except for a watch.